The fight to stop the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) has reached another critical point.

Recently, members of the Democratic National Convention Platform Drafting Committee voted against an amendment that would have unequivocally stated the Democratic Party’s opposition to the TPP.1

Members of the committee who helped defeat the amendment – including some who say they personally oppose the TPP – argued that it would be disloyal to President Obama and compromise party unity if the pro-TPP views held by the president and other high-ranking Democratic officials’ were not considered. 2

But the goal of the Platform is to “advance progressive Democratic values” – not demonstrate loyalty to an outgoing president by supporting his anti-worker, anti-environment trade deal.3We have a huge opportunity in the coming days to pressure the Full Platform Committee to reverse course and take a stand against the TPP before it finalizes the Platform on July 9 in Orlando.

The DNC platform must include unequivocal opposition to TPP.

All the Democratic presidential candidates along with the vast majority of Democrats in Congress oppose the TPP, recognizing it as a corporate power grab that would destroy jobs, pollute the environment, and undermine corporate accountability both at home and abroad.

There should be no question where the Democratic Party stands on this basic issue. A strong, clear message that the TPP is an unacceptable deal is what is necessary, and what will unite the party. The language must be irrefutable.

As we speak, supporters of the TPP are gearing up for one last push get the deal through Congress before President Obama leaves the White House. With this platform, Democrats have a unique chance to build a firewall against any last-minute attempts to ram this bad deal through after the election. We must speak out now to demand the DNC Platform Committee is clear and unambiguous in its opposition to the TPP.